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An
e-mail newsletter designed to transform the way you think about your career…
and to help you face Mondays with a smile!
by Dale Kurow, M.S., Career & Executive Coach
Welcome,
loyal subscribers and new readers!
Holy smokes,
I can’t believe it’s September already!
We’re
going to prolong summer with a week on Fire Island in September. More
about that, and pictures, in next month’s issue.
Last month,
I had the best trip to LA. I spent a week at my artist friend’s
spacious white house near the beach. Talk about Zen-like.
Just what I needed to renew body and soul.
Then, I attended
Ali Brown’s (the e-zine queen) 2-day workshop on building an online
business. The workshop was intense and very worthwhile.
Here are
photos: one of the entire group (I’m the small spec in orange at
the very upper left). The second photo is me with Kim Duke (of Sales Divas),
the new Canadian friend whom I met at the seminar. What a sweetheart of
a gal! I’ve been so lucky to meet wonderful people in my travels
this year!
This month’s
feature focuses on networking tips designed to kick-start your career.
Read on for helpful hints to make the most of Fall.
Wishing you
a dreamy September (my favorite month of the year!)
To Your Success,
Have you
shaken the sand out of your shoes?
Are you ready
for cooler weather, a faster pace, back to school, and the end of flip-flops?
Well, even
if you’re not, the rest of the world is moving on.
It’s
time to get with the program.
I’m
talking about planning your schedule for this fall.
Whether you’re
looking for a job or new clients or feel the need to expand your list
of professional contacts, networking is the answer.
So, what
are you saying to yourself right now? “Yuck, I hate networking.
I’ll go to a networking event one of these days, if I can figure
out where the REALLY good connections are.”
Hello?
These are all excuses that keep you in the same place and move you
no closer to your goals!
Guess what?
We all hate networking. It’s just that some of us have gotten better
at it because we actually force ourselves to do it!
For all of
you first time networkers, or those who have to be pushed out the door
or accompanied by a friend, here are tips to get you started:
The
Tips
- Extreme
self-care. Say what? Pamper yourself before you go to an event.
Have a massage, talk with a friend who makes you laugh or have lunch
at your favorite eatery. The goal is to get to the event feeling relaxed
and confident.
- Arrive
early. Pre-event time gives you a great opportunity to have
a slightly longer conversation with a new contact. You’ll get
to speak to others who are eager to make the most of their time. Another
plus to arriving early is you can select a good seat for the breakfast
or lunch presentation.
- Is
this the best venue? Carefully choose which event(s) you will
attend. Ask yourself: “what are my goals for this event; what
do I hope to achieve?” Most organizations welcome guests and will
only ask that you pay a one-time fee. After the event, you can determine
if the organization is a good fit for you by asking yourself: “Was
the group open and welcoming to new members? Did I feel comfortable?
Were there like-minded people with whom I connected?”
- Finding
events. Check out The Encyclopedia of Associations in
the reference section of the public library. This is a guide to 116,000
U.S. non-profit and trade organizations, including web addresses and
contact information. Once you have decided which group to explore, check
out their web site for a list of upcoming meetings.
-
Bring photos of your kids! That’s right, I said bring
photos. Pictures of your children are great conversation starters. I’ve
witnessed an entire table of men and women bond by sharing pictures
of their kids.
-
What’s your line? Frequently, at smaller networking events,
you’ll be asked to stand and give a brief explanation of what
you do. For larger events, you will still need to prepare 2-4 memorable
sentences. Use compelling phrases and words, so people will want to
know more about you. Giving just your name and title will not cut it!
In preparing your sentences, do the following (1) Offer a specific example
of what makes you unique and what you want people to remember (2) Ensure
that it prompts people to say, “tell me more.” And (3) Deliver
your sentences with passion and a commitment to excellence in your work.
For example, when I network, I say, “Hi, my name is Dale Kurow
and I am a career and executive coach. I help clients become better
managers, figure out their next career moves and thrive despite office
politics. For example, I’ve helped a client change jobs with a
40% salary increase and helped another client develop the skills to
deal with a difficult boss.” I usually get a response such as,
“Whoa, I need you,” or “I know somebody who needs
your services.” That’s the kind of response you are looking
for!
For more
networking tips, check out my networking tips booklet at:
http://www.dalekurow.com/ebook_networking.
All the networking
tips in the world won’t help unless you actually make the effort
to get to an event. Preparing ahead of time will make you feel more in
control and more willing to go. Building your confidence at events, and
knowing what to say, happens over time. Select an event to go to today.
You’ll feel good that you took action and it can translate into
momentum in your career this Fall.
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